How Weather Effects Your Home’s Roof

Your home’s roof is your home’s first line of defense against inclement weather and pests, making it the single most important piece of your home’s exterior. However, exposure to the elements will wear away your roof over time, and the climate you live in has a significant impact on the type of weather your home’s roof needs to withstand. If you’re interested in learning more about our different weather conditions affect your home’s roof, keep reading below for more information!

Rain

Perhaps the most common, and oftentimes most damaging, weather condition is rain. Rain affects nearly every climate, including Massachusetts, and it can be extremely destructive. It can often be extremely difficult to spot a roof leak, which means if you live in a rainy climate, your roof may be leaking and causing damage that you weren’t yet aware of. Even a small crack that is left to leak can cause major rot damage if left for too long. It is best to have a roofing professional inspect your home on an at least annual basis, particularly after the winter, to ensure your home’s roof is kept in good repair!

Snow

Another common weather condition that Massachusetts homeowners need to deal with on a regular basis is snow. Snow can be destructive in the same way as rain, in the sense that it causes moisture damage to your home, but the method in which the damage occurs is much different. There are two main ways that snow can impact your roof; the first being weight. If winter is particularly snowy, it’s possible for so much snow to accumulate on your roof that it causes your roof deck and shingles to bow under the weight of the snow.

However, the most common damage that snow occurs is moisture damage via ice dams. Most Massachusetts homeowners are aware of what an ice dam is; as snow melts from your roof, it refreezes in your gutters and backs liquid water up onto your roof. This causes the water to seep into your roof deck, causing damage in the same way as rain, although it can be far more destructive in a much shorter time period, is there doesn’t need to be any damage to the roof for ice dams to leak.

Humidity

Another common weather condition that Massachusetts homeowners are very familiar with is humidity. Because of our coastal position, Massachusetts tends to be very humid in the summers. High humidity, in combination with the heat, can cause shingles to condensate and lead to moisture damage. High heat can also cause cracks in your shingles, which makes heat & humidity a deadly combination for your roof. Most homeowners won’t run into this issue, but it’s good to keep an eye on your roof regardless to make sure it is kept in good repair!

Contact Us Today

Interested in replacing your home’s roof this summer? Our team at Burke Roofs is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (781) 246-5622 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!